Arno Boersma

Manager

The Centre of Excellence for the Sustainability of Small Island States

Arno Boersma loves a knowledge challenge, like how to get knowledge flowing to where it can have the most impact. After obtaining his business degree [Erasmus Univ., Rotterdam], he worked for multinational firms [Heineken, L’Oreal] where he learned the marketing ropes. Next he co-founded a knowledge strategy firm [Squarewise] helping organizations tap into their most renewable resource: knowledge. He went on to join development organizations [World Bank, and now UN] where he focuses on knowledge to do good.

Arno is currently the manager of the Centre of Excellence [COE] for the Sustainable Development of Small Island Developing States [SIDS], a UNDP initiative based on Aruba. To support the implementation of the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals [SDGs], the COE finds good examples in sustainable development by island states and shares those for the benefit of all. Literally bridging islands of knowledge, in areas such as Renewable Energy, Sustainable Tourism and Climate Change. In short, void of acronyms: from the One Happy Island, Arno is applying all he has learned in the corporate, start-up, and non-profit world to work towards One Happy Planet.